Fire in Malaysian hospital claims six lives

Updated: Oct 25, 2016 13:02 IST

Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia], Oct. 25 (ANI): A fire that broke out at a hospital in Johor Bahru in southern Malaysia on Tuesday morning claimed the lives of six patients.

According to a report by The Star daily, hundreds of people had to be evacuated, as soon as news of the fire breaking out in the intensive care unit on the second floor of the Sultanah Aminah Hospital broke out.

Firefighters have so far recovered the bodies of six patients and rescued a male patient, who later was transferred to another hospital for extensive burns.

Ten of the hospital staff were also injured, among which two had been transferred to nearby hospital for treatment, Malaysia's Health Minister S. Subramaniam was quoted, as saying, adding all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the evacuated patients.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation but a report from Oriental Daily said preliminary police probe indicated electrical short circuit and ruled out arson. (ANI with inputs)